Despite falling just short against Sussex in a thrilling encounter at Visit Worcestershire New Road, Head of Women’s & Girls’ Cricket Ed Wilson remained grounded in his post-match assessment, praising the quality of the game and maintaining a clear perspective on his team’s progress.
“Obviously disappointed with the result,” Wilson admitted, “but I thought nearly 500 runs in the day, a decent crowd at Visit Worcestershire New Road, it was a good game of cricket. Sussex were better than us in the bowling and fielding department, and we were probably below the standards we’ve set ourselves.”
Worcestershire’s chase was full of intent, with Gwen Davies notching a composed half-century at the top and several batters, including Bryony Gillgrass, Ruby Davis and Amy Wheeler, making strong starts. Yet, despite flashes of brilliance, the hosts couldn’t quite build the decisive partnerships required to get over the line.
“It was a rollercoaster of a game, especially in the second innings,” Wilson reflected. “We lost wickets in little clusters and that’s something we’ve got to get better at, being able to reset and rebuild.”
With two wins from their opening three matches in Tier 2, there’s still plenty of encouragement around the squad. “You’re not as good as you think you are when you win, and not as bad as you think when you lose, we’re probably somewhere in between,” said Wilson, urging perspective and consistency in what promises to be an exciting campaign.
Looking ahead, Worcestershire have little time to dwell with a T20 knockout clash looming in 48 hours. The quick turnaround, Wilson feels, is a positive. “You don’t really want to weep beween games. You want to get back out there and put it right.”
The squad remains largely unchanged, with the one enforced switch seeing Poppy Davies come in for the cup-tied Amy Wheeler. Gwen Davies’ form, meanwhile, is a timely boost. “She looked really good today. Hopefully that innings gives her confidence, she’s a key player for us.”
At the death, power hitters like Bryony and Amy added late momentum, and Wilson believes there’s untapped potential. “Bryony had 38 off 19 last week, another good cameo today. Imagine the impact she could have if she faces 50 or 60 balls. That’s the next step.”
Despite the defeat, there is optimism and opportunity in equal measure. Worcestershire remain firmly in the mix, learning, evolving, and ready to bounce back.
